Twins bats wake up in 5th

From the Seats, April 06, 2005

SEATTLE — Johan Santana started out shaky at best on Tuesday in Seattle as he gave up 4 runs in the first. A bad feeling set into my stomach as I watched Johan dig the Twins into a hole, one I was not too sure they could get out of.

 

Twins offense helped that bad feeling in the second, third and fourth innings. The offense looked completely flat, they couldn't get a base runner on to lead off an inning, when they did get a base runner they had 1 or 2 outs so not much was happening.

 

After the first inning Santana found his grove, and only allowed one hit and retired the last 9 batters he faced. He was doing all he could do to give the Twins a chance to win. Going into the 5th the Twins only had 2 hits and trailed 4-0.

 

A lead off hit by Lew Ford got things started. A single parade followed as everyone after Ford was able to find a hole, or dump a base hit just in front of a fielder. The highlight of the inning was a hit and run put on with Joe Mauer at the plate, executed exactly how it was supposed to the Twins took the lead. With the runners on the move Mauer punched the ball to the left side. It is a play that you love when it is your team and so painful to watch when it’s the other team.

 

Twins had a 7 run 5th inning and a solid bullpen performance after Santana left after 5 innings. Crain, Romero, Rincon, and Nathan all pitched scoreless innings in relief.